El grupo Hizbul Islam no pretende cambiar la bandera somalí

Ante las recientes declaraciones del grupo Al-Shabaab en el sentido de que tiene la intención de reemplazar la bandera nacional somalí por otra negra con una inscripción islámica, otro de los grupos insurgentes, Hizbul Islam, ha mostrado su desacuerdo.

Somalia: Hizbul Islam has no issue with Somali flag

A Hizbul Islam official says his group has no issues with the country’s blue flag and would not recognise the Al-Shabaab imposed black one.

Sheikh Mohammed Ma’alin Ali, Hizbul Islam’s Press Secretary said the black flag represent a particular group and not the whole country.

“Each group can have its own flag, we only recognise the blue flag as the national flag and nobody can't change it except the agreed government,” he told reporters, adding that his group is not aware of any agreement that will change the flag.

Sheikh Ali said his group would not change the national flag with their flag like the Al-Shabaab group.

Al-Shabaab has recently vowed to replace the Somali flag with its black flag, which has an Islamic emblem.

On December, Hizbul Islam fighters stormed a school in the IDP area of Elasha Biyaha and lowered the somali flag, replacing with group's flag.

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Garowe Online

Grupo insurgente pretende cambiar la bandera de Somalia

Un representante del grupo insurgente Al-Shabaab, que controla gran parte del centro y sur de Somalia, ha declarado que su organización sustituirá la actual bandera nacional somalí (azul con una estrella blanca en el centro) por una enseña negra con la shahada (la frase "Sólo hay un Dios y Mahoma es su Profeta") inscrita en ella.

Al-Shabaab declares black flag in Somalia
4 Jan 4, 2010 - 10:07:33 AM

Somalia’s insurgent group Al-Shabaab has vowed to replace the Somali flag by a black flag with Islamic emblem.

Sheikh Mukhtar Robow Ali Abu Mansur, a top Al-Shabaab leader said the group’s flag would be the only flag flying high across the country, adding that the flag represents Islam.

“We will not accept any other flag other than the black with the en Shahadah on it... Because this flag is the Islamic one and it’s not imposed by UN or other countries like US,” he said.

Abu Mansur also said that his group would not allow the formation of semi-autonomous regions in the central and southern Somalia.

He was speaking while proceeding over the commencement of Islamic teaching seminar for elders from different Somali regions.

On the other hand, Abu Mansur said his group would intensify its fight against the fragile UN-backed government and AU forces.

“We will still fight with the Somali government until we establish Islamic administration and also drive out AMISOM from our country, because they are invaders,” he said.

His remarks come as Somali government says it plans to root out insurgence in the country.

Al-Shabaab, which control much of the Somalia’s southern and central regions, has been involved in deadly arm struggle with TFG forces an AU troops in the capital.

Garowe Online

El Parlamento de Puntland adopta una nueva bandera

El martes, 22 de diciembre, el Parlamento de Puntland (entidad independiente de facto, aunque oficialmente forma parte de la República de Somalia) adoptó sus símbolos oficiales: una bandera y un escudo; también se presentó una propuesta de himno, pero fue rechazada. La bandera consta de tres franjas horizontales: azul, blanca y verde, con una estrella blanca en le centro de la franja azul. La franja superior reproduce la bandera de Somalia, de la que Puntland forma parte; la franja blanca simboliza la paz y estabilidad de la región, y la verde sus riquezas naturales.

Puntland Parliament adopts new flag

On Tuesday, the Puntland Parliament has recognized the flag to be the state’s symbols. With more than 33 votes in favour, the Puntland Parliament has showed that the state is ready to strengthen its political dimension as part of the Somali federation.

It is the first time the self declared state, adopts new state symbols, since it’s creation in 1998.

The Puntland constitution states that the regional administration should have it’s own flag and anthem, as part of the Federal republic of Somalia. The flag and anthem of the state was selected by a commission of state officials and Puntland intellectuals.

The minister of Constitution and federal affairs of Puntland, Dr.Jima’ale, who chaired the commission presented the selected flag and state anthem to the parliament. But the MPs rejected the proposed anthem, while approving the flag and the state emblem.

The new flag consists of the three colors; white, blue and green:

(Top): the blue flag with the white star symbolize the Somali flag; in which Puntland is part of

(Centre): white color on the centre symbolizes the peace and stability of the region

(Bottom): green color symbolizes the natural wealth of the Puntland State of Somalia.

Horseed Media